New Taste of the Upper West Side: Classic Comforts 2012

Tolani Wine Restaurant: Truffled Gnudi with Sweet Pea Puree

This year the New Taste of the Upper West Side was held on May 18th and 19th, with Friday night starting off with Comfort Classics under the grand tent on Columbus Avenue between 76th and 77th streets. 35 of the Upper West Side's innovative chefs / restaurants presented their take on "Comfort Food Reinvented", with Travel Channel co-hosts, Adam Richman from Man v. Food Nation and Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern.

I attended New Taste of the Upper West Side for the first time last year, for Comfort Classics 2011. It was a completely different experience for me this year, seeing some of my favorite restaurants come up with crafty, delicious dishes and finding new ones that caught my eye and taste buds.

Attendees also enjoyed music by DJ Phresh, delectable desserts and fine wines and cocktails from Southern Wine & Spirits. If you find yourself on the Upper West Side this summer or are looking for a few hot spots to grab a bite to eat during fashion week this September, here some of my favorite restaurants.

Jacob's Pickles: Sweet & Spicy Carrots / Big Dill

Bistro Citron: Duck Confit, Wild Mushroom and Fig Tarte with Mousse de Foie Gras and Goat Cheese

Ditch Plains Upper West Side signature Ditch Dogs: Hot Dogs Covered in Mac N' Cheese

Gastronomie 491 Market Cafe

Barney Greengrass: Pastrami Salmon on Pumpernickel with Mustard

Shake Shack Upper West Side: A Vienna All-Beef Hot Dog Dip in Shack-Made Batter and Fried Crisp and Olive oil Cake Frozen Custard Topped with Local Strawberry Compote

Bomboloni: Mixed Bomboloni, Ciambella, La Bomba

Sarabeth's: Raspberry Bread Pudding

Gazala Place: Osh Al Saria - creamy yogurt pudding prepared with rose water, oranges and potato bread

Valrhona milk and dark chocolates

Baconery: Left - Mini Chocolate Bacon

Baconery Mini Bacon Brownies and Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Bacon Cookies

Cascal soda, crafted with natural juices comes in five flavors: Fresh Tropical (Mango, Jasmine & Kaffir Lime flavors) - my favorite! Also Crisp White (Pear, Apricot & Magnolia), Ripe Rouge (Chocolate & Rose), Bright Citrus (Lemongrass, Mango & Pineapple) and Berry Cassis (Currant, Tangerine & Lemon)

Art in the Age Rhubarb Tea

Cavit Moscato

Forbidden Secret Dark Mocha American Dream

Figenza Mediterranean Fig Flavored Vodka

OR-G Liqueur: French vodka with natural persimmon, papaya, mango and lime juices

Voli light vodkas

- Kim Weling